A new choir

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32462, 24 November 1970, Page 11

A new choir

The Canterbury Singers, a new choral group which aims to attract a wide audience by performing music of a popular and varied type, plans to give its first concert on December 3 in the Caledonian Hall. The choir was formed in August, with 44 members, and already a great deal of work has been done towards its establishment as a permanent musical feature in Christchurch by its conductor. Grahaeme Johnson, and the interim committee. The choir’s publicity has been directed to as many musical people and organisations as possible, and it expects that the concert on December 3 will be well patronised. From the many comments received and the considerable interest which the group’s formation has aroused, says a spokesman, it is apparent that a place exists in Christchurch for a group of this nature. Songs, choruses and part songs by Gilbert and Sullivan, Hugh Robertson,

Giuseppe Verdi, Humperdinck, Johann Strauss, and Rogers and Kammerstein, are included in the programme, and the presentation of them will depart from established practice. Guest artists are, Heather Taylor (soprano), Barbara CayglU and Jennifer Black (duo pianists), William T. Williams (baritone), and Harold Kean (narrator). The accompanist is Cherry Taylor. Mr K. R. Newson, chairman of the Christchurch Civic Music Council, will introduce the Canterbury Singers to their first audience. The group’s plans are for three concerts to be given each year, and at each several young Christchurch artists and performers will be invited to appear. The choir also hopes that by the time its second concert is presented it will have a complement of 64 singers. This means that some 20 additional voices —mostly men—will be required.